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Author
Topic: Frustrated with lab results (Read 3076 times)

I typically don't post lab results, but I am frustrated with my recent CD4 ct. After testing positive and having a CD4 ct of 179, I started Norvir, Truvada and Reyataz immediately. I have been 98% adherent. I was indictable in 3 mths and my % has ever so slowly increased. However, my CD4 ct has improved and now stands at an "impressive" 267. The doctor said some people's counts just increase more slowly than others and the important fact is that I continue to be indictable. Rich just posted his lab results. On the same meds as me he has gone from 50 to 450. I know people react differently to meds and each of us are different yada, yada, yada. I just wish I could at least break 300 at least then I could completely drop bactrim.

Woods

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"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it." Nelson Mandela

Totally understand your frustration. It might be slower than you'd like, but at least it's going in the right direction and in the space of a year the CD4 gain you've made doesn't seem bad at all. And as others have reminded me several times, you have to remember CD4 counts are not that precise - different results can emanate even from the same sample. You're not far off 300 so hopefully next time you can drop the Bactrim. Keep on doing what you're doing - it's clearly working!

Woods... there are all kind of factors to take in account... 1st... your improving... Great! your still walking this earth... Super! next... do like I do... Visualize!!!sounds easy but, not always... Meditate.... adhere to a healthy positive mind frame work.... stop with the negatives... I know easier said than done... when something negative enters your mind... rethink in a positive way... my cd4's at one time before meds were available... were 127... I increased them without meds.... through diet... herbs... exercise... to over 600 then they faultered again... but, I was lucky to be a guinea pig under clinical trails... and here I am today... cd4 count 1509... non-dectectable viral load... 16 years of being hiv+ ... still here and alive... there is always hope... Never give up and do the best that you can... and LIVE!

I know people react differently to meds and each of us are different yada, yada, yada.

Woods, see, you already know the answer. It took me 6 months to got my VL to an undetectable level so I understand the disappointment. But there is no doubt in my mind that you will reach 300. We are all in there routing for ya. Jim

Just wanted to commiserate. I'm sorry you're not happy with your labs, and frustrated. It may well be that now your immune system has a "base" to it, that your recovery will accelarate here on in. I hope so.

I guess one of the things that's slightly frustrating about this disease is how variable it is - one person does great, another not so much, on the same therapy. It's something that changes all the time. I'm thinking about Joe's friend who recently died - he was a slow progressor, but when he came down to having to take meds a long time after being infected, he reacted badly to them. I bet he was regarded as lucky, up until that point.

I'm trying to learn to take what I've got now. And I know you're much better at that than me from other posts you've written.

Sorry to hear your frustration - has your doctor said anything about why he or she thinks the results are what they are? (and they aren't bad at all). The only things that have probably helped me are diet and meditation, as somebody else has mentioned as well... I seem to have hit a wall in the upper 400's, which is fine, but of course we all greedily want more, don't we?? (;

98% adherence is amazing! Mine is probably about 95% - here's hoping for a big increase for you the next time!!! (:

Woods, as others have said there are lots of variables. There are lots of "general" statements out there about what "may" happen. You are moving in the right direction. You have had an increase of nearly 100 CD4s in 3 months. That is a real movement in the right direction. So far I haven't found anyone who can really explain why some people have cd4s that plummet after infection and others go for years with good CD4. The same thing goes for improvement of CD4. Some people just respond differently. We are all unique. I don't believe that just because your count is rising more slowly that some others means anything except just what you see. I started with a good CD4 count but low percentage. It took me a year on meds to see an increase of 200. We all just react so differently.

I hope the comments that everyone has made here helps you see that things are moving along and improving. If you are feeling good and the VL is <50 then you are making great progress. Just keep on keeping on and don't get overwhelmed with it.

My doctor has told me that, for some folks, it can take a long time for CD4 counts tobounce back. I believe I've read some research on this too. It is very important thatyour VL is under control, as this helps facilitate increases in your CD4 counts.

Take my case: I started medications over 3 years ago (Susitva/Viread/Emtriva, nowSustiva/Truvada, soon to be Atripla). And I waited 15 years before starting meds(but that's another story). My CD4 when starting was medication was 275.After 3 years, it is only up to around 500. But at least it is heading upwards, and thankfully my VL has been undetectable. What folks have said belowis true -- each of us responds differently to medications.

I can completely understand you wanting to be off of Bactrim. You're CD4s are heading in the right direction, and you'll get there.

Henry

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"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders